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British Chess Magazine: Ornate Chess Sets
 

Prices exclude postage (10% of price for UK, 20% overseas, unless otherwise stated) and that the prices given DO NOT include a chess board unless stated - boards are sold separately. We have given an indication of suitable minimum board sizes for each set.


Fellowship of the Ring UnpaintedLord of The Rings: Fellowship of The Ring Chess Set (unpainted)

£81.99


The pieces are based on the characters as depicted in the motion picture "Fellowship of The Ring". Board not included. Our Oriental or Mandarin boards (see below) would be perfect.





 
Fellowship of the Ring Hand-DecoratedLord of The Rings: Fellowship of The Ring Chess Set (hand-decorated)

£168.99


The pieces are hand-painted and based on the characters as depicted in the motion picture "Fellowship of The Ring". Board not included. Our Oriental or Mandarin boards (see below) would be perfect.



 
Lord of the Rings: white piecesLord of the Rings: black pieces  
Lord of the Rings    £119.99
This set is based on specially commissioned designs by the sculptor Dennis Fairweather, which bring Tolkien's characters to life. The white pieces (above) represent the forces of good, and include Aragorn (king), Galadriel (queen), Treebeard and Gandalf (bishops), Bilbo and Frodo Baggins (knights), a hobbit-hole and Rivendell (rooks). White pawns are hobbits. The black pieces represent the forces of evil: Sauron (king), Shelob (queen), Gollum and Saruman (bishops), Ring-Wraiths (knights), Barad-dur and Khazad-dum (rooks). The pawns are orcs. This is a massive set, with kings fully 16 cm tall, and it looks very crowded on a board with squares less than 60 mm. Our Oriental or Mandarin boards (see below) would be perfect.

This set is also available hand-decorated, as illustrated below, for £270.00.
Lord of The Rings
Partially painted Lord of the Rings: white piecesPartially painted Lord of the Rings set: black pieces
Hand-decorated



Isle of Lewis
Isle of Lewis Set
Isle of Lewis    £48.99
The original Isle of Lewis chess pieces can be seen in the British Museum in London: they are made of walrus ivory and date to the mid-twelfth century. These reproductions are moulded from crushed stone in resin. The Kings are about 95 mm high, with thick bases. These pieces fit well on the Oriental or Mandarin boards (see below).We can also order for you a smaller version of the Isle of Lewis set, with kings 57 mm tall, to fit a board with squares of 40 mm. Mini Lewis pieces: £32.99
Mini-Lewis Pieces
Alice in WonderlandAlice in Wonderland    £48.99
All the cute characters from the famous Alice in Wonderland book: Alice herself promoted to White Queen, Tweedledum and Tweedledee as the rooks, and white rabbits as pawns. The kings are 88 mm tall and the set fits well on a board with 50 mm squares.

We can also order for you the hand-decorated version of this set, where each piece is partially painted, or the fully hand-painted version.

Prices:
hand decorated (view) £84.99
hand decorated with a presentation box and board (view) £94.99
hand painted £139.99 (view).
Standard Alice Set
Hand-Decorated Alice
Hand-Decorated with presentation box and board
Hand-Painted Alice Set
Celtic setCeltic    £73.99
This set represents the two sides of the famous Battle of Clontarf, near Dublin in Ireland, 1014 AD. The White pieces are the Irish Celtic tribes, joined under their High King, Brian Boru, and the Black pieces are the Viking forces, led by Sihtric Silkbeard, King of Dublin. Most of the pieces are fearsome warriors; the Black Rook is a particularly striking exception, in the form of the prow of a Viking longboat.

We can also order for you a hand-decorated version of this set, with details picked out in silver, green, and brown, for £149.99 (view).
The Kings are 113 mm tall and the set would fit well on the large ornate board (see below) with 70 mm squares.
Celtic Chess Set


Hand-Decorated Celtic Set


The Tower of London: White Tower (Hand Decorated)The Tower of London: White Tower (Hand Decorated)    £162.50
This set has a king Height of 14 cm and would suit a chessboard with a 5.5cm square or larger.The Royal palace and fortress of the Tower of London, founded by William the Conqueror shortly after 1066, is one of the world's most famous and spectacular castles. Known for housing the Crown Jewels, its Yeoman Warders ("Beefeaters") and its ravens, the Tower today is the most visited historic site in Britain.

The White Tower, oldest of all the Tower buildings, was originally built as a royal palace and fortress, but has also served as a prison, a royal chapel, a record office and a large storehouse of arms, armour and gunpowder.

Board not included.


Globe Theatre piecesShakespeare: Globe Theatre    £73.99
A new Shakespeare set for the new Millennium. This one celebrates the rebuilt Globe Theatre in London, and the pieces include references to the spoken and written word, as well as more familiar human characters. The King is William Shakespeare himself, the Queen is Lady Macbeth, the Bishop is Sir John Falstaff, the Knight is Bottom, the Rook is the Globe Theatre, White Pawns combine flowers, ink, and a quill pen, and Black Pawns, alas, poor Yorick.

This is quite a large set, with Kings nearly 14 cm tall, and we recommend the large ornate board (see below).

We can also order for you the hand-decorated version of this set, with details picked out in turquoise and pink, for £149.99 (view).
Shakespeare Globe Set


Shakespeare Globe Set, Hand-decorated


Egyptian setEgyptian    £48.99
Pharaohs, gods, goddesses, and hieroglyphic columns. The Kings are about 12 cm tall, and quite slender, with narrow bases, so the set would fit the Oriental or Mandarin boards, or any board with 50 mm squares.

mandarin boardoriental boardOrnate boards    £59
All the sets fit well on our Mandarin board (left): dark oak polyurethane finish, with squares of 60 mm. The Oriental board (right) is the same size (and price) and has a different design.

For other boards, consult our chess sets and boards webpage - click here
Mandarin Board

SOLD OUT

Oriental Board


Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes    £149.99
Naturally, in our home in Baker Street, we had to have a Sherlock Holmes set! The hand-decorated white pieces include Sherlock himself, Dr Watson, and the housekeeper. The black king is of course Moriarty, the queen is Irene Adler, and the Hound of the Baskervilles serves as knight. Sherlock is 125 mm tall and we recommend a board with squares of at least 55 mm.


Sherlock Holmes: plain
There is also an undecorated version of the Sherlock Holmes set, for £73.99


 


DAL NEGRO SETS

Dal Negro American Civil War     £89.99

85 mm king, crushed stone, Italian, hand-painted, to fit on 50mm square board

 

Dal Negro American Civil War


 

Dal Negro Waterloo Set      £119.99

110 mm king, crushed stone, Italian, hand-painted, to fit on 50-55mm square board

 

Dal Negro Waterloo Set


 

Dal Negro Napoleonic Franco-Russian Set      £89.99

80 mm king, hand-painted crushed stone set, depicting the French forces commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte and the Russian forces under Field Marshall Kutuzov, to fit on 45mm square board.

 

Dal Negro Napoleonic, Franco-Russian Metal Set


 

Dal Negro Chinese Style Set    £179.99

114 mm king, Alabaster, Italian, Hand-painted, to fit on 50-55mm square board

 

Dal Negro Chinese Style Set


Black and White Glass Chess SetBlack and White Glass Chess Set    £39.99
Black and white frosted glass pieces on a clear glass board, approximately 38 cm square. Postage & Packing £5 UK, £10 overseas.


White and Crystal Glass Chess SetWhite and Crystal Glass Chess Set    £19.99
Frosted white and crystal glass pieces on a clear glass board, approximately 35 cm square. Postage & Packing £5.00 (UK), £10 (overseas)
 
We can also supply any of the following sets. Note that the delivery time might be a little longer, as our supplier might have to make one specially for you! The manufacturer's web site, Studio Anne Carlton, has some interesting information, but you will need to return to our site to order.
 
Westminster Abbey    £103.99 (view)
This is a resin set inspired by the statues, tombs, and artifacts in and around Westminster Abbey in London. The king (height 197 mm) is in early English coronation robes, and the queen is shown at prayer. A board with at least 60 mm squares would be recommended. This set is also available hand painted, the rich colours bringing out the exquisite detail. Price for the hand-painted pieces: £250.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Painted
Tudor Kings and Queens    £51.99 (view here)
This resin set depicts Henry VIII (king height 108 mm) with his daughter, who became Elizabeth I. The bishop is Archbishop Cranmer. Recommended board size: 50 mm squares. Again, there is a hand-painted version of this set, richly decorated in gold and the bright colours of the period. Price for the hand-painted pieces: £162.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Painted
Mini-Florentine   £32.99 (view here)
A Renaissance period design, beautifully executed. King height 82mm.
Battle of Culloden    £66.99 (view here)
This resin set shows the English and Scottish sides at the infamous (for Scots at least!) Battle of Culloden, 1746. The Scots are led by Bonnie Prince Charlie (120 mm tall) and Flora McDonald; the English by the Duke of Cumberland. The set would fit a board of 50 or 55 mm squares. There is also a hand-decorated version of this set, which is partially painted, and a fully hand-painted version, which is made in very limited numbers. For the hand-decorated set: £129.99 (view); for the hand-painted pieces: £250.99 (view).
Culloden Standard
Culloden Hand-Decorated

Culloden Hand-Painted
Robin Hood    £66.99 (view here)
Robin (113 mm tall) and his Merry Men are pitted against the Sheriff of Nottingham. A board with 50 mm squares would be recommended. There is a hand-decorated (i.e. partially painted) version of this set too, at £139.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
American Civil War    £73.99 (view here)
This is a completely different (resin) design to the (metal) set described above, but represents the same turbulent period in American history, with the Confederate Army of the South led by General Robert E Lee and the Federal Troops of the North led by General Ulysses S Grant. The kings are 125 mm tall and a board with 50 or 55 mm squares would be recommended. There is a hand-decorated version of this set, for £149.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Warlords    £66.99 (view here)
Enter the world of fantasy, where Prince Vallior, the hero, combats the evil forces led by Demonos, Lord of the Underworld. The 'good' pieces all look fairly friendly, but the 'bad' ones are heavy on the skeletal and reptilian. The kings are 125 mm tall, and the set requires at least 55 mm squares. There is also a hand-decorated version, for £139.99, with details picked out in grey and silver paint (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Crusades    £73.99 (view here)
This resin set illustrates the struggles for domination between Christians and Muslims during the period 1095 - 1292, heyday of the Crusader Knights. The kings are 135 mm tall and a board of 50 or 55 mm squares would be recommended. There is also a hand-decorated version, intended to represent specifically the conflict between Richard I and Saladin. Price of the hand-decorated pieces: £149.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
History of Golf    £73.99 (view here)
If you've ever visited St Andrews in Scotland, this set will bring back memories! The Royal and Ancient clubhouse serves as rook, and Old Tom Morris (one of many golfers with streets named after them in the town) serves as bishop. The king (height 125 mm) is Harry Vardon and the queen is Lady Margaret Scott. A board with 50 or 55 mm squares would be recommended. The hand-decorated version, in shades of green and brown, is £149.99 (view).
 
Standard
Hand-Decorated
1966 World Cup Football   £73.99 (view here)
In commemoration of England's victory in the Jules Rimet Trophy, which is itself used to represent the queen of each side. King height is 152 mm and will need a board of at least 55 mm.
 
Art Deco   £73.99 (view here)
The streamlined elegance of this set reflects the essence of 1920s and 30s Art Deco design. King height 95 mm. Recommended board size 50 mm.
 
Cottage Garden Chess   £116.99 (view here)
The elegant beauty of an English garden is captured by this set. The king, represented by the head gardener is 127 mm. high. A board with 50 to 55 mm. squares would be needed.
 
Spartacus    £73.99 (view)
Spartacus the Slave versus his Roman masters, in the slave revolt of 73 -71 BC (view here). The (resin) white pieces are the Romans and the black pieces represent various types of gladiator, plus a rather savage lion as the knight. King size: 135 mm; a board of 50 or 55 mm squares would be recommended. There is a hand-decorated version of this set, for £149.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Battle of Waterloo    £66.99 (view)
A resin set representing possibly the most important battle in the history of Europe, which took place in 1815 near the village of Waterloo in Belgium. The Duke of Wellington confronts the French army, led by Napoleon. The kings are 108 mm tall and a board with 50 mm squares would be appropriate. A hand-decorated version is also available, for £139.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
American Revolutionary War    £66.99 (view)
The British had problems trying to extract taxes from their American colonies... and full-scale war erupted, with the well-known historical results! This resin set features several of the characters from that period: George Washington, Betsy Ross, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere. The kings are 108 mm tall and a board of 50 or 55 mm squares would be recommended. There is a hand-decorated version, for £139.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Richard the Lionheart    £51.99 (view)
This regal (resin) set features important characters from the era of King Richard I of England, who reigned during the period 1189 - 1199. King Richard himself is 95 mm tall and would fit a board with 50 mm squares. The hand-decorated version of this set is painted in gold and silver: £84.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Samurai  £73.99 (view)
This resin set is based on the political and military situation that existed in Japan in the 16th century. The Daimyo or Great Lord Toyotomi is the king (108 mm tall), his Okugata the queen, Masamune (the great sword-maker) as bishop, the Samurai as knight, and, inevitably, Ninja pawns. Recommended board size: 55 mm squares. There is an extravagantly hand-decorated version, for £149.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Gods of Mythology    £81.99 (view)
Another large resin set. Zeus is king (160 mm), Aphrodite is queen, the god of healing is the bishop, a centaur is the knight, a Greek column serves as rook, and Pan is the pawn. Again, a board with 60 mm squares would be appropriate.
Camelot    £81.99 (view)
The Court of King Arthur: Arthur (140 mm) is of course king, his queen is Guinevere, Merlin is bishop, and Lancelot the knight. This is another fairly substantial resin set and requires a board with 60 mm squares.
Roman    £48.99 (view)
This classic resin set features a Roman senator as king (100 mm tall), his lady as queen, and a Tribune as bishop. The knight is a mounted soldier, the rook is a Roman column, and the pawns are legionaries. A board with 55 mm squares would be appropriate.
Mini-Roman   £32.99 (view)
A compact set, but still showing the elegance of the Roman era. King height 76mm.
Masked    £51.99 (view)
A resin set, featuring mediaeval masked figures on modern bases. King height: 88 mm; a board with 50 mm squares would be appropriate.
Battle of Hastings    £66.99 (view)
This resin set represents the two opposing armies in the most famous battle ever fought on English soil. The white pieces, the English, are led by King Harold, against William, Duke of Normandy. The battle was fought just inland from Hastings, on the south coast of England, in 1066, and it altered the course of English history. King height: 113 mm; recommended board size: 50 mm squares. There is now also a hand-decorated version for £139.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Canterbury Cathedral   £73.99 (view)
This resin set represents characters with a connection to the Cathedral such as Henry IV and Thomas Becket. King height 133 mm. Recommended board 50 to 55mm. There is also a hand-decorated version for £162.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Wizard of Oz   £71.99 (view)
This resin set represents the characters in the original story by L. Frank Baum and in the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. The kings are 105mm. high and would fit a board with 50mm squares. There is also a hand-decorated version for £139.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Battle of Bannockburn   £73.99 (view)
This resin set features many of the historic characters from this famous battle, including Robert the Bruce. King height 121 mm. Recommended board 50 to 55 mm. There is also a hand-decorated version for £149.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Nautical Chess   £73.99 (view)
This resin set represents the age-old struggle between mankind and the sea. The king is a master mariner; the queen is a mermaid, luring seamen to their deaths; the bishop is a wise old seaman with many a tale to tell; the knight is a delicate seahorse; the rook is a lighthouse; the pawns are clipper ships. King height: 133 mm; recommended board size: 50 mm squares. There is also a hand-decorated version for £149.99 (view).
 
Standard
Hand-Decorated
Winnie the Pooh   £76.99 (view)
This resin set is packed in a presentation box and has its own board included. All the usual suspects are there: Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, and Owl. There is also a hand-decorated version, also with a board, for £97.99 (view).
Standard
Hand-Decorated

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